As part of a week-long tour to unveil of her "Canada Starts Here" jobs package, Premier Christy Clark announced plans today to expand a tax credit program for small businesses -- a proposal slammed by the BC NDP as old news.

In a speech before the Surrey Board of Trade, Clark announced plans to add an additional $3 million to the $30-million Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit (SBVCTC) program, a move the premier said would "help small businesses access early-stage venture capital to help commercialize ideas, attract and retain employees, expand operations and bring their ideas to global markets."

But MLA Jenny Kwan, BC NDP critic for jobs, says that she sees nothing new in any of Christy Clark's jobs proposals so far.

"She's recycling old ideas from Gordon Campbell," Kwan told The Tyee in a telephone interview. "There has been very little talk throughout the week about investing in our future economy -- in green jobs or in our education sector."

Other policy plans that Clark announced today in Surrey include extending of the B.C. Training Tax Credit and a continued commitment to limit business regulation.

As The Tyee has reported over the last three days, Clark has been rolling out various pillars of her jobs plan all week. On Monday, Clark traveled to Prince Rupert where she announced plans to partially fund the expansion of the Ridley Island Terminal, while yesterday the premier spoke in Kamloops, heralding plans to attract additional international students to B.C.

The entire jobs package will be formally released tomorrow.

The SBVCTC program offers outside investors a tax credit of up to 30 per cent for investing in small businesses. The addition of $3 million dollars to the fund could potentially fund up to $10 million in additional investments for small businesses.

Ben Christopher reports for The Tyee